It is fast; it is powerful; it is a beauty to behold….. it is a FERRARI! If you ask anyone about what a luxurious sports car looks like, there is a big chance that the answer would be something as follows: a burning red car with a loud roaring engine resembling the sound of wildcats! This is the description of what most people imagine luxury sports cars to look like; it is also the description of what the famous Ferrari looks like—That’s how big the Ferrari brand is!
If we take a step back to have a look at the history of the prestigious brand Ferrari, we will find that the story of Ferrari tells of the commitment and perseverance of its founder, the racing driver Enzo Ferrari. The history of Ferrari has its roots almost a century ago. It is a story of successes and cars that has become a symbol to the world, a story that began at the gates, not of Maranello, the famous home of the brand, but of Modena, where the man behind the brand, Enzo Ferrari, was born.
The history of the brand is everything you would expect and more. It is a history beaming with brilliance, innovation, and ground-breaking cars that managed to leave their mark on history! How did the story of the household name Ferrari begin? Coming up next!
Table of Contents
The Man Who Started It All: Enzo Ferrari!
The official history of the brand starts in 1947, but the beginnings go back further. Like the entire history of the brand, they are inextricably linked with the name Enzo Ferrari.
In 1929, Enzo Ferrari founded his own racing team, which was named Scuderia Ferrari. Since the Ferrari company did not exist at that time, the Scuderia Ferrari racing team relied on vehicles from the manufacturer Alfa Romeo. The team was mainly linked to Alfa Romeo, evolving from a close working relationship to taking on significant design responsibilities, and, from 1933, was responsible for both the design of the racing cars.
Scuderia Ferrari and Alfa Romeo: A Complex Relationship
The Scuderia Ferrari’s relationship with Alfa Romeo was not simply that of a subsidiary. While initially relying on Alfa Romeo vehicles, Scuderia Ferrari’s close collaboration evolved. This close working relationship led to Scuderia Ferrari taking on significant design responsibilities for Alfa Romeo’s racing cars from 1933 onwards.
In 1937, this close collaboration culminated in Alfa Romeo absorbing the racing operation into its own structure, with Enzo Ferrari himself remaining at the helm and leading the newly integrated racing department. This deep involvement and experience gained within Alfa Romeo’s racing programme provided a crucial foundation for the brand’s future endeavours.
Auto Avio Costruzioni and the War Years
Auto Avio Costruzioni built its first model in 1940, the famous 815, in just two examples. While this was a significant project, any development of the company was then immediately compromised by the outbreak of war, so it had to devote itself to building parts for aeronautics. In 1943 the headquarters were relocated to Maranello, the site of today’s Ferrari, but it was ruined by the Allies’ bombs in 1944 and rebuilt later.
The 1940s: The Birth of Ferrari
Finally, with the horrors of war over and the significant changes in its relationship with Alfa Romeo, the historic Ferrari brand was founded on 12 March 1947, symbolised by the famous Prancing Horse logo.
The brand’s history as a full-fledged car manufacturer officially began with the launch of the Ferrari 125 S (125 Sport), the first racing car to bear the Prancing Horse badge. It was equipped with a 1,500 cc V12 engine with approximately 118 bhp, and it offered a thrilling performance.
The Ferrari 125 S and Early Successes
The 125 sport, with its 12-cylinder engine, won the Rome Grand Prix, its first race in May 1947. Since then, the brand has won more than 5,000 car races across all categories, including more than 220 Constructors’ Championships in the top-class Formula 1.
At the Paris Motor Show in 1949, the first road-going model was unveiled, the 166 Inter, which had a 2,000 cc V12 engine with 110 hp.
Racing Successes and Global Recognition
There were several racing successes in the late 1940s for the brand, including two Mille Miglia races and two Targa Florio races with driver Clemente Biondetti and the 1949 Le Mans 24 Hours race with American Luigi Chinetti and Briton Peter Mitchell-Thomson. These racing wins enabled the Maranello company to make an immediate name for itself worldwide.
The 1950s: More Victories
The brand initially designed its vehicles as racing cars, but they were also sold to private consumers to generate additional income. It was not until the early 1950s that Enzo Ferrari considered making it a separate division.
The 250 GT and 250 GT Berlinetta marked the beginning of this. Models of this type are hard to come by today and are usually found in museums or collectors’ collections. They are correspondingly valuable. At an auction in 2015, a 250 GT Berlinetta changed hands for 13.2 million!
Ferrari’s Racing Dominance in the 1950s
Back to the 1950s era, the brand won many victories: six Mille Miglia, five World Sportscar Championships, four F1 Drivers’ World Championships with driver Alberto Ascari in 1952 and 1953, with Briton Mike Hawthorn in 1958. Juan Manuel Fangio won the 1956 F1 World Championship driving for Mercedes-Benz. the brand also achieved three 12 Hours of Sebring victories.
There were also victories in two 24 Hours of Le Mans races (more than two in the 1950s in total). In 1954, the winning drivers were José Froilan González and Maurice Trintignant; and in 1958, the winning drivers were Olivier Gendebien and Phil Hill. Ferrari also won two editions of the Carrera Panamericana; in 1951 with Chinetti and Piero Taruffi, and in 1954 with Umberto Maglioli; and a Targa Florio.
The Rise of Scaglietti and Ferrari’s Production
In those years, the Maranello company focused more on racing than mass production. However, the birth of the innovative car body designed by the well-known coach building and design company Carrozzeria Scaglietti in 1951 allowed the brand to increase its capacity for body and chassis production significantly.
The 1960s: Great Expansion!
Now, we come to the 1960s, in which the brand embarked on a significant expansion plan; it became a joint-stock company in 1969, producing the legendary 250 GTO in 1962 with a 3,000 cc V12 engine producing 300 hp, although it continued to focus mainly on racing.
Ferrari’s Racing Successes of the 1960s
Between 1960 and 1965, the brand achieved considerable racing success, winning many major races, including several editions of the World Sportscar Championship, the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans; Phil Hill won the F1 World Championship for Ferrari in 1961. Ferrari also won multiple Targa Florio and Daytona races.
The Fiat Partnership and Road Car Development
In the decade’s second half, the Maranello company began to need resources to continue to excel in racing and design production models. At that point, Ford asked to take over half of the shares, but Enzo Ferrari rejected the Americans’ approach to preserve the Italian character of the brand and signed a similar agreement with Fiat in 1969.
The 1967 triumph in the World Sportscar Championship and the conquest of the 24 Hours of Daytona with New Zealander Chris Amon and Lorenzo Bandini were significant victories of that period, among others. As for the cars destined for the public, the ‘small’ Dino 206 GT of 1967 with a 180 hp 2,000 cc V6 engine and the 365 GTB were produced.
The 1970s: Staying at the Top!
The 1970s opened for Ferrari with victory in the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1970. Two years later, Ferrari achieved success in several races, including the 24 Hours of Daytona and Sebring.
The Fiorano Test Track and Key Personnel
In 1972, the Fiorano test track was inaugurated; it is a circuit specially built to test racing cars, given the many curves that reproduce those of the world’s most famous circuits.
A further boost to the brand’s sporting activities came in 1973 with the arrival of young Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, who at the age of 26 was appointed head of the Scuderia racing division and in 1977 became head of external relations, a role he held until 1981.
Ferrari’s F1 Resurgence
In the latter half of the decade, the Scuderia di Maranello returned to winning ways in F1. This included multiple World Championships—a combination of Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles— with two Drivers’ titles won by Austrian Niki Lauda (1975 and 1977) and one by South African Jody Scheckter in 1979.
The 1980s: The Death of Enzo Ferrari
The 1980s was the most difficult decade for the brand. During this period, however, three supercars that were destined to mark the history of the brand made their debut: the 288 GTO and Testarossa in 1984 and the F40 in 1987—a car considered by many to be the ultimate road-going machine and a car in which Enzo Ferrari was deeply involved in its development until his passing.
Sporting Achievements and Challenges
Sporting successes were less frequent during this time; the only significant achievements in F1 came from the two Constructors’ World Championships won in 1982 and 1983. This period represented a relative downturn in the brand’s overall sporting performance compared to earlier decades.
The Passing of Enzo Ferrari and Fiat’s Increased Stake
The 1980s marked a new, delicate moment in the history of the car manufacturer. Enzo Ferrari passed away at the age of 90 in 1988 amidst a period of challenges for his Scuderia. Shortly before his death, he allowed Fiat to increase its stake in the company from 50 to 90 per cent. This transition marked a significant turning point in Ferrari’s corporate structure.
Ferrari said goodbye to everyone when he was one of the best-known Italians in the world, and his factory was now part of the history books. Life spared him no pain; he lost his father and brother at a young age, but his work brought him many joys, between world championships and many memorable cars.
Always animated by passion, he regarded the car as a conquest of man’s freedom. All his life, he did what he liked to do. He hoped to work until the last of his days, and so he did. Enzo Ferrari left behind a legendary legacy that continues to inspire car enthusiasts worldwide.
His life was marked by both personal loss—he lost his father and brother at a young age—and professional triumph, spanning world championships and the creation of iconic automobiles. Always driven by passion, he considered the automobile a symbol of man’s freedom. He pursued his life’s work with unwavering dedication. His dream continues to inspire millions.
The 1990s: The Rebirth!
Enzo Ferrari’s death certainly did not help the situation of the Italian manufacturer. But, as is often the case, rebirth was just around the corner. The early 1990s saw the inauguration of the Galleria Ferrari museum, showcasing the brand’s history.
Leadership and Racing Success
The rebirth of the brand began the following year and coincided with the return of Luca Cordero di Montezemolo as president this time. The following years marked a significant turning point for the brand, coinciding with the return of Luca Cordero di Montezemolo as president.
In the latter half of the decade, the arrival of German driver Michael Schumacher propelled the brand back to the top of F1, culminating in the 1999 Constructors’ World Championship. The brand also achieved considerable success in endurance racing during this period, including wins at the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Daytona between 1995 and 1998.
A New Era in Production Models
The brand’s production models also experienced a resurgence. From 1995 onwards, models such as the 550 Maranello (1996) and the 360 Modena (1999) were introduced, successfully carrying the brand into the new millennium.
The New Millennium and Today
In spite of the bumps on the road, the brand has never stopped and has continued undaunted on its way, achieving significant success in various racing categories between 2000 and 2008. Even the production models were making an impact; the Ferrari Enzo (2002) is a great blend of technology and emotion, and the F430 (2004) turned out to be, unlike its predecessors, a car that can also be used on a daily basis without problems.
Global Expansion and Model Evolution
In 2002, the first Ferrari Store was inaugurated, and today, there are numerous outlets around the world, such as in Rome, New York, and Abu Dhabi. Ferrari has since consolidated its presence by expanding into several markets, including the Middle East, China, the United States, and Europe.
The company’s range has also continued to evolve, offering new models with greater comfort and performance, encompassing a wider range of styles and price points. Recent models include the Roma, SF90 Stradale, and the Daytona SP3, showcasing the brand’s commitment to innovation and performance.
Leadership Changes and Financial Restructuring
A new and, in some ways, revolutionary industrial phase began with the handover from the management of Luca Cordero di Montezemolo to that of Sergio Marchionne. Marchionne not only oversaw the separation of the brand’s ownership and subsequent fate from the Fiat Group (which was incorporated into the new Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) entity) but also successfully led Ferrari’s initial public offering (IPO) in 2015, opening the company up to the potential of the stock market.
This strategic move significantly reshaped the brand’s financial structure and global standing. Since Marchionne’s passing, Benedetto Vigna has taken the helm as CEO, continuing to guide the brand’s strategic direction.
Recent announcements have included a commitment to electrification and the expansion of Ferrari’s SUV offerings with the Purosangue, representing further steps in the brand’s evolution and market diversification. Ferrari continues to focus on its heritage while pushing the boundaries of automotive technology and luxury.
The Prancing Horse of Ferrari
Like everything about Ferrari, the brand’s logo, “prancing horse”, has a rich history behind it. The Ferrari logo is a black prancing horse, often displayed on a yellow background; the logo may also include the letters SF, which stands for Scuderia Ferrari. The origin of the horse symbol comes from the late Count Francesco Baracca; he was a legendary ‘Ace’ of the Italian Air Force during the First World War. The count had the image of the prancing horse drawn on the sides of his aircraft.
The Count Baracca and the Prancing Horse
Baracca died young on 19 June 1918, after 34 victorious duels and earning numerous medals for courage. There are various theories about why Baracca chose the prancing horse for his aircraft, one suggesting it was a tribute to his cavalry regiment background and his reputation as a skilled cavalryman.
Enzo Ferrari and the Adoption of the Logo
Enzo Ferrari met Count Enrico Baracca and Countess Paolina, Baracca’s parents. The Countess suggested that the brand use the “prancing horse” logo on his cars, believing it would bring him good luck. Ferrari subsequently adopted the black prancing horse symbol, adding a yellow background—the colour of Modena, his hometown—to the design.
The full evolution of the logo into its modern form took time and involved the eventual addition of the initials ‘SF’ (Scuderia Ferrari) by Enzo Ferrari. While the precise timing of the logo’s first appearances on Ferrari cars may be debated, its connection to the Baracca family legend played a significant role in its establishment as a core part of the Ferrari brand identity.
Conclusion
Enzo Ferrari once said, “If you can dream it, you can do it”, and he surely did it! Thanks to Enzo Ferrari’s vision, the brand has always been the highest expression of what the phrase ‘made in Italy‘ means in the world. In fact, no other Italian brand is able to express the style, quality and refinement that characterises Italian luxury products like Ferrari. The brand has always been and will always be a sports car enthusiast’s dream on four wheels.